What is Cryotherapy?
Cryotherapy for prostate cancer, or Cryocare (Targeted CryoAblation of the Prostate), is a minimally invasive treatment that uses extreme cold to destroy prostate cancer cells. It is particularly suitable for patients seeking an alternative to surgery or radiation, or for those in whom cancer has returned after initial treatment.
How Cryotherapy Prostate Cancer Treatment Works
This procedure uses Endocare’s Cryocare CS system, which is FDA-cleared and designed for precision and safety.
Key features include:
- AutoFreeze: A computer-controlled freezing mechanism that adjusts power based on feedback from internal temperature sensors.
- Integrated Ultrasound: Provides live imaging of the prostate for better control and accuracy during the procedure.
- CryoGuide Planning Software: Assists the surgeon in targeting specific cancerous areas or treating the entire gland.
- Urethral Warmer: Protects the urethra during the freezing process.
- CryoGrid and Cryoprobes: A brachytherapy-like grid and vacuum-insulated probes to ensure accurate probe placement and efficient ice formation.
Considering Prostate Cryotherapy
If you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, understanding your treatment options can feel overwhelming. Prostate cryotherapy may be discussed alongside surgery or radiotherapy, hormone therapy, and other treatment approaches.
Cryotherapy for prostate cancer is often considered in specific situations, particularly where a minimally invasive procedure may be appropriate, or where cancer has returned after a previous form of radiotherapy. A consultation with an experienced urological surgeon is essential to determine whether this approach is suitable for your individual case.
Before the Procedure
Before undergoing prostate cancer cryotherapy, you will usually have a detailed assessment. This may include imaging and, in some cases, a biopsy to confirm the location and extent of prostate cancer cells within the prostate gland.
The procedure is typically performed using a transperineal prostate approach. This allows precise placement of cryoprobes into the prostate tissue, guided by ultrasound imaging. Careful planning helps protect surrounding structures such as the urethra, rectum, and bladder.
What Happens During Cryotherapy
Prostate cryotherapy is a controlled surgical procedure that involves freezing targeted areas of the prostate to destroy cancer cells.
Thin probes are inserted into the prostate gland, and cycles of freezing and thawing are applied. This process, also known as cryoablation or cryosurgery, works by damaging prostate cancer cells while aiming to preserve as much healthy prostate tissue as possible.
A catheter is usually placed to allow urine to drain during and after the procedure, supporting recovery and reducing the risk of urinary retention.
Salvage Cryotherapy
Salvage cryotherapy is offered when prostate cancer recurs after primary radiotherapy or brachytherapy. This specialised form of treatment requires significant expertise.
Mr Chinegwundoh is one of very few accredited UK practitioners offering this service. He has over seven years’ experience in delivering cryotherapy, and his data on salvage cases has been published, highlighting his early and ongoing commitment to advancing this field.
Recovery and Aftercare
Following cryotherapy treatment, most patients can return home relatively quickly. A urinary catheter may remain in place for a short period to support normal urine flow while the prostate settles.
Some urinary problems, such as temporary discomfort when passing urine, can occur. Your surgeon will provide guidance on what to expect and how to manage symptoms during recovery.
Follow-up appointments are important to monitor your progress and assess how effectively the treatment has addressed prostate cancer.
Possible Side Effects
As with all prostate cancer treatment options, there are possible side effects to consider.
These can include urinary problems, changes in bladder function, or discomfort in the treated area. The likelihood and severity of side effects vary depending on the extent of treatment and individual factors.
Your urological surgeon will discuss potential risks in detail during your consultation, helping you make an informed decision about your care.
How This Compares to Other Treatments
Prostate cryotherapy is one of several treatment options available. Others may include radical prostatectomy, robotic prostatectomy, radiation therapy, or hormone therapy. Each approach has its own benefits and considerations. Understanding the differences between these treatments is an important part of choosing the most appropriate path forward and should be discussed with your urologist.
Support and Next Steps
Being diagnosed with prostate cancer can bring uncertainty, but you do not have to navigate it alone. Seeking clear advice from an experienced surgeon can help you understand your options and feel more confident in your decisions.
Professor Francis Chinegwundoh is a highly experienced urological surgeon offering advanced prostate cancer treatment, including cryotherapy. If you would like to explore whether this procedure is right for you, you are encouraged to arrange a consultation and discuss your individual circumstances in detail.
More Information
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